The Unfolding Destiny of the British Bahai Community Part 95

Dear Baha'i Friend,

Your loving letter of February 20th was duly received by the Beloved Guardian, and on March 20th, the contributions referred to therein.

The Guardian has directed me to acknowledge your letter and the contributions on his behalf. Receipt is enclosed.

Will you please write the Baha'is of ... on behalf of the Guardian, and thank them for their contribution for the construction of the International Archives Building. Their sacrifices in that difficult area, at this time, shows their depth of spiritual consciousness. The Guardian will pray for them, and for the success of their work.

The Guardian also wishes to a.s.sure the Baha'is of the British Isles, of his appreciation of their sacrifice and devotion to the Cause of G.o.d. He is praying for them, for the success of their historic work, and for the rapid expansion of the Faith. He is sure the Blessings of the Beloved Master will rest on each and every one.

Please send the Friends in Kuwait the enclosed photo, showing the present stage of construction of the Archives Building.

He sends his loving Greetings...

Letter of 27 March 1957

27 March 1957

DEEPLY MOURN Pa.s.sING DEARLY LOVED MUCH ADMIRED GREATLY GIFTED OUTSTANDING HAND CAUSE GEORGE TOWNSHEND. HIS DEATH MORROW PUBLICATION HIS CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT ROBS BRITISH FOLLOWERS BAHa'U'LLaH THEIR MOST DISTINGUISHED COLLABORATOR AND FAITH ITSELF ONE ITS STOUTEST DEFENDERS. HIS STERLING QUALITIES HIS SCHOLARs.h.i.+P HIS CHALLENGING WRITINGS HIS HIGH ECCLESIASTICAL POSITION UNRIVALLED ANY BAHa'i WESTERN WORLD ENt.i.tLE HIM RANK WITH THOMAS BREAKWELL DR. ESSLEMONT ONE OF THREE LUMINARIES SHEDDING BRILLIANT l.u.s.tRE ANNALS IRISH ENGLISH SCOTTISH BAHa'i COMMUNITIES. HIS FEARLESS CHAMPIONs.h.i.+P CAUSE HE LOVED SO DEARLY SERVED SO VALIANTLY CONSt.i.tUTES SIGNIFICANT LANDMARK BRITISH BAHa'i HISTORY. SO ENVIABLE POSITION CALLS FOR NATIONAL TRIBUTE HIS MEMORY BY a.s.sEMBLED DELEGATES VISITORS FORTHCOMING BRITISH BAHa'i CONVENTION. a.s.sURE RELATIVES DEEPEST LOVING SYMPATHY GRIEVOUS LOSS. CONFIDENT HIS REWARD INESTIMABLE ABHa KINGDOM.

SHOGHI

Letter of 30 March 1957

30 March 1957

Dear Baha'i Brother:

The Beloved Guardian has directed me to write you concerning a list which he desires, showing the languages into which the scriptures, or parts of them have been translated.

He has the book ent.i.tled "The Gospel in Many Tongues" issued by the British and Foreign Bible Society, the Bible House, 146 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.4, (in 1948). This shows specimens of 770 languages in which this Society has published or circulated some portion of the Gospel.

In the preface, they state "If those versions published by other agents are included, there are now well over a thousand forms of speech represented in the Library at Bible House".

The Guardian would like to secure a list of the additional some 300 languages into which the Gospel has been translated, referred to in this quotation. Could you secure it for him, from the Bible Society, at the Bible House.

Is it fair to a.s.sume this would then be all the languages, from any source, into which the Bible or parts have been translated? Your early advice will be appreciated.

For your information, in the list of languages into which Baha'i literature has been translated, there are some 20, not included in the published book of the 770 languages into which Christian Scripture has been published, as covered by the Book.

The question is, are these 20 included in the supplementary list, which makes the 1,000 or more into which Christian Scripture has been translated. Your sending the list will enable us to make the check here.

If you could secure this list and send it promptly, it might enable the Guardian to include this interesting point in his Convention message....

Letter of 12 April 1957

12 April 1957

Dear John:

Enclosed please find the beloved Guardian's Message to the annual convention; it should be delivered to the Chairman to be read to and shared with the a.s.sembled friends....

P.S. In order to gain time this is being mailed through a pilgrim from Rome.

P.S. No.2. Will you please acknowledge receipt of this letter by cable to the Guardian.

Letter of 19 April 1957

19 April 1957

Dear Baha'i Brother,

The Beloved Guardian has been very deeply impressed with the latest book of our dear departed co-worker, Hand of the Cause, George Townshend.

He feels that this Book should be used as the basis of a very active campaign of teaching and publicity throughout the British Isles.

Publicity regarding the book should be arranged, book reviews secured, if possible. Religious leaders should be sent copies, even the highest Ecclesiastical leaders. Many copies should be mailed to the important leaders of the Church of England, and other religious denominations of the British Isles.

This book very finely presents the relations.h.i.+p between Christ and Baha'u'llah, and outlines the manner in which the Baha'i Faith is setting up the Kingdom of G.o.d, which the Christians are praying for.

The Guardian feels that very beneficial results will be achieved by this active public programme, with this book, "Christ and Baha'u'llah" even if it stirs up opposition and criticism for the time being.

He will pray for your a.s.sembly, and for the success of your many labours in the Cause of G.o.d....

Letter of 30 April 1957

30 April 1957

DEEPLY APPRECIATE CONVENTION MESSAGE REJOICE RECENT VICTORIES GREATLY VALUE SPIRIT ANIMATING ENTIRE BRITISH BAHa'i COMMUNITY CHERISH BRIGHTEST HOPES FERVENTLY SUPPLICATING RAPID CONSOLIDATION HOME FRONT ESSENTIAL PRELUDE UNPRECEDENTED EXPANSION GLORIOUS MISSION BRITISH FOLLOWERS FAITH BAHa'U'LLaH FOREIGN FIELDS DEEPEST LOVE.